Dorian Perez is back.
And if you were expecting some polished, corporate answer ahead of his co-main event against Nate Bernard… you clearly don’t know DTP.
This wasn’t about rankings.
This wasn’t about politics.
This was about violence, pride, and proving who survives the trenches.
“I Derail Trains”
Dorian had one of the coldest lines of the interview when discussing his role in the division:
“I derail trains, bro. I’m the fucking conductor.”
That perfectly sums up how he views himself.
For years now:
- Prospects rise
- Momentum builds
- Then they run into DTP
And suddenly the hype slows down.
He Wants a DOG FIGHT
What makes this matchup dangerous is that Dorian doesn’t necessarily want a quick knockout.
He wants suffering.
He wants adversity.
“I want that knockdown drag-out war.”
He compared it to classic MMA wars:
- Forrest Griffin-style fights
- Back-and-forth punishment
- Earning the victory instead of stealing it instantly
That’s rare in Power Slap where most guys chase one-shot highlights.
Nate Bernard Has Evolved
One thing Dorian made very clear:
He respects the current version of Nate Bernard.
Not because of rankings—but because Nate survived hard lessons.
He specifically pointed to:
- The losses to Damien Dibbell
- The war with Aaron Turner
- Getting dropped and recovering
“He’s gone through the fire.”
That’s fighter respect.
Dorian believes this version of Nate is:
- Smarter
- Tougher
- Less naive
Which means this matchup may actually bring out the best version of both men.
“I’m the SAT Test”
When Slap News called him the gatekeeper, Dorian elevated it:
“I’m the final test.”
That line hits because it’s true.
You don’t accidentally beat DTP.
If you beat him:
- you belong
- you’re elite
- you’re ready for championship territory
Controlled Chaos
Dorian admitted one of his biggest weaknesses is actually how much he loves competing.
He gets emotionally charged.
Wild.
Chaotic.
And honestly? That’s part of what makes him dangerous.
The Durango hotel story was peak DTP:
- Sick during fight week
- Needed to hype himself up
- Started screaming Super Saiyan-style
- Headbutted a freezer door and dented it
“If you work at the Durango, take a picture and send it to me.”
That’s either terrifying or hilarious depending on your perspective.
Probably both.
Three Checks Mentality
Dorian already has his prediction locked in:
- Win check
- Show check
- Bonus check
“I need three checks.”
And he’s confident enough to call for the performance bonus before the fight even happens.
Family on the Same Card
One of the more interesting moments was discussing fighting on the same card as his brother.
For most people, that would become emotional motivation.
For Dorian?
“It’s just another Friday.”
That mentality tells you everything about how he approaches combat:
- personal life stays separate
- fight mode activates
- mission comes first
Final Take
This feels like one of the most important fights in the heavyweight division outside of the title picture.
Why?
Because both guys represent evolution:
Nate Bernard
- learned through losses
- refined himself through adversity
Dorian Perez
- transformed chaos into calculated violence
And stylistically?
This has all the ingredients to become exactly what Dorian wants:
“A fucking war.”